Congrats to the Saints... my disdain for the Colts is my own, but I don't think many people thought they would only score 17 points. Obviously the game really turned huge when Peyton threw a bad pass... which was really the game clincher.
The Colts all season did not really play against great QBs.. the best they faced was Brady despite the game that was dubbed "4th and 2". That defense isn't as great as one would've thought. Those close comeback games are attributed to Peyton, but also offenses that were able to score on that Colts defense early... just not late game. The Saints are not really that team to be slowed down by that..
Here's a quick look at two notable games in both the Saints and Colts seasons...
1) Pats @ Colts - 4th and 2.. remember the Pats scored 34 points on that defense. Only the Peyton Manning comeback and 4th and 2 were the real difference.
2) Pats @ Saints - The Saints just rolled... period.
3) Colts @ Dolphins - This MNF game was close... and a blitz by the fish cost them a TD and a win.
4) Saints @ Dolphins - Despite having gotten down some huge scoring hole, the Saints manage to battle back. The fish weren't bad, but they couldn't simply roll the Wildcat out all day... as they simply could not do much once the Saints got rolling.
Note: I picked the fish out because... that game was played there. Sure it's not the fish they are playing against, but it's ironic how both teams had played there in "preparation" for this game.
In sum, if you looked at the history of this year's games... you might have come to the same conclusion I did.... or most of you just "wrote off" the Saints because you didn't do some reasonable analysis.
So there!
In addition.. Freeney had some impact early on.. but his name wasn't mentioned at the later half. This translated to a dramatically weaker pass rush. I mean Mathis was around... but not fast or close enough. It was impressive early game to see him... but then not surprising how it ended up to be. To win in the NFL, you have to get a pass rush to the QB with whatever the cost. You don't necessarily have to get a sack, but you have to force a throw from the guy and pray the secondary holds its end of the deal. That is the new passing NFL where your ability to stuff the run is not so important (Colts had the most yards on the ground for that game, while having the #32 ranked run game). So even if you have Adrian Peterson and a tough run defense like the Vikings do, the game is still up to the QB (Favre) to succeed (which, I don't have to remind you of).
Show Posts
